Stool



May 20, 1952 A. L.. JANES, JR 2,597,332

sTooL Filed Nov. 26, 1947 2 SHEETS- SHEET 2 Patented May 20, 1952 TED S PATEN T -O FFI CE srooL Alexande'rLJanes, Jr., St. Paul, Minn. ApplicationNoveiber v26, 19477,- Serial l\lo.""788",208V

' My'. invention relates2 to improvements in stools forvuse'by persons engaged in occupations requiring occasional reaching with 4his hands of Claims. (Cl. 155-1) l rise from the seat ffthelAstool-in-order to reaeh places'- beyond h-is normal reachfromany given sitting position. To this end, I'provdean-improvedfrstool havingY its seat mounted on the base structure of the-stool-with freedom for upward anddownward movements, and- )further incorporating a foot rest movably-'mounted on the supporting basestructure ofthe Astooland having operating connectionstoI the upwardly `and downwardly movable seat, whereby when the occupant of the stool transfers part of -hisweight from the stool scatto the `footrest thereof, the resultant forceexerted onthe foot rest will'be transferred to the seat in-a direction tending to v'raisethe same.

Preferably, and in `the embodiments of the invention herein illustrated,means, in the'nature of al'spring'orrsprings is provi'dedfor yiel'din'gly biasing the upwardly and downwardly 4movable seat of thevstool in an upward direction,"so"'asl'to greatly reduce the amount' of pressure'necessarily applied by the'occupant to-k the foot rest-or trea'dle' of the `stool inl order to raise ftheV torso of thev occupant.' *In-practice, rpreferably provide I a sucientlyeresilient upwardlybiasing force on'the vseat to largely, but not entirely,

carry theA weight Voffthefoccupantof theseat,

so that when the .occupants'full ormajor'weight is `applie'dtothe seat, theseat willqrlecede toa lower 'f extreme stop j position, representing the normal position of the jseat; but:` from which the seat and the occupantstorsocanbe elevated, at will, by exertion on theifoot'rest'ofthel stool of a comparativelyv light pressureV exerted. through the 'operatorsi-feet Hence, vwith this improved Astooljtl'ie'occupant cangp'roceedito do' such work asis within the lnormal reach' ofr his arms while rmly'su'pporte'd in a 'desired plane'by the stool, butv whenever" he. desiresl ,to-A extendl his reah by elevation 'of his torso and arms, l he mayv do so' as i's'aiiorded' by Aa conventional stool, andV must,V

therefore, when using -a vconventional stool, stretch excessively-'atV times and at other times legs.

the *extremitiesl ofy the switchboard ofcourse, this excessive stretch-ing andperiodi-caltransfer of the operators weight frornithe stoolfto his or her legs and-feetlis-essentiallytiringpandpto-a large extent, ldefeats the purpose Y for which ftheseat was intended. "Howevenwhen my improved stool'is similarly employedby a telephone operator, theabove noted objection to conventional sto'olsl is largely overcome, 'since' the operator. can readly'eleva't lall-r portionsV Of hisv body llying'fbeve the stool seat to correspondingly extend his reac'h by shifting a comparatively sm-allT portion oi-his total weightfrom the stoollseatit his-feetandv This, of course, greatly icon'servesthefoperatorsenergyand delays fthe poi-nt :at-which fatigue and ineiiciencysets in.l l

(b) lAdraftsr'nanusing a conventional stool while-workingona large drawingoften finds it necessary to rise yoff `of the-stoolseat in order to work on the far extremities of thedrawing. However, when such a draftsman uses Inyim-4 proved stool, hecan readily-extend his reach w thoutgetti'rig'foil' of theeseatof the-stom, -andtby merely --shifting partof hisfweight, preferably arelatively small part, from the seat of thel stool to hisfeet aridA legs. e f n Y K (c) ABarbers are oftenfalble to use eonventiojnal stools for-short periods,` but fnd' it necessaryl to rise from conventional `stoolsperiodically 'during each haircut which,` of course; tofajgrea't extentv defeats `the purpose voi. f the vs'tlof'gh However,- barbers n'd that they cansuccessfullyusejstoolsr made accordance with the? present inven ion throughont--mest or `all'i of ahaircutting fopefrag-` tion for the reason thatthey -oanelevate their positions and-extend their-reach viewpoint at willan'djwith exertion of a'rninimumlofjenergy.' (d) `I-Iousew'i-vesl ironing iclothes also `ndgtne improved stools hereof' tome-Averyjusefur andforv reasonsjrnorey speeically `pointed "out "above connection withother oocuptiensy iandithe' same can'bej said-'for persons engaged' in: the sorting of various'objects.

In view of the,above,wan obviousobjectof the invention 'is lthe' provision of an improved stool; the occupant of Whhaielevate"alllthat portion ofV hisbody'llying abvefthe seat t'oa desired extent, `within Ceitf lil'ts, to 'thereby' extend his' reach: or change his'.viw.p.oint,. without `risingV off vof the stool vandby'transferring from` the Ystool seat to his; legs ,29nd feety v only a relatively small' portion ofj` his total w'eifg'lit;` i

*Aj ystill ffurther objectowfrxny invention"v ifsthef provision of means-'fonvarying the 'extent `of movement of the seat relative to the base structure, and independent means for varying the biasing force of the above-mentioned resilient means.

Still another object of my invention is the provision of guard means between the seat and the base structure of the stool to prevent accidental pinching therebetween of the occupants hands or fingers.

Still another object of my invention is the provision of a stool as set forth which is inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, and emcient and durable in use.

Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from the following specification, appended claims, and attached drawings.

Referring to the drawings, in which like characters indicate like `parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a preferred embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation, some parts broken away and some parts shown in section, on a slightly enlarged scale;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of an adjustable abutment means of my invention;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view, partly in plan and partly in section, taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a view corresponding to Fig. 2 but illustrating a modified form of my invention; and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged horizontal section taken substantially on the line I-B of Fig. 5, with some parts broken away.

Referring in greater detail to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, the numeral I indicates in its entirety a a base structure which may be of any suitable form, but, as shown, comprises a top plate 2 provided with a tubular guide element in the nature of a depending circumferential flange 3, and a plurality of circumferentially-spaced legs 4 secured at their upper ends by spot welding or the like to a depending circumferential flange 5, on the top plate 2. The legs 4 diverge in a downward direction to provide a relatively wide base of support and are tied together intermediate their ends by rigid brace members 6 and 1.

The flange 3 denes a vertically extending passage 8 in which is slidably mounted for limited rotary and generally upward and downward reciprocating movements a guide element in the nature of a seat post 9. A seat II), preferably circular in form, is secured to the upper end of a seat post 9 and may be equipped with a back rest II, which is mounted fast thereon for common movements therewith by means of supporting members or the like IIa. I also provide means for limiting the extent of rotation of the seat, which comprises a pin I2 rigidly secured to the seat II) and extending downwardly through a segmental aperture I3 in the top plate 2, for a purpose which will hereinafter become apparent.

The lower end portion of the seat post 9 is longitudinally slidably movable in a tubular guide element I4, which is axially aligned with and spaced from the flange 3 and which is rigidly supported from the brace members 8 and 1 by respective spider elements I5 and. I6. The lower end portion of the guide element I4 is internally threaded to receive the threaded portion I1 of an abutment in the nature of a bushing I8 having therein an axial passage I9. A'push rod 20 projects loosely through the passage I9 and at its upper end is provided with a head 2I that engages the bottom of the seat post 9. A coil compression spring 22 is interposed between the head 2I and the abutment-forming bushing I8, within the tubular guide element I4. The abutment forming bushing I8, may, if desired, be provided with a graduated weight indicating scale I8a to facilitate the initial setting thereof. A pointer (not shown) may be secured to the base structure to aid in reading the scale I8a or, if desired, the scale may be read against the bottom of the tubular guide I4.

As will be observed by reference particularly to Fig. 2, the spring 22 biases the seat I0 in an upward direction. A stop pin 23 extends through one of a series of transverse holes 24 in the seat post 9 and limits upward movement thereof by engagement with the lower end of the flange 3. The extent of upward movement of the seat I0 is determined by the location of the stop pin 23 on the seat post 9. Downward movement of the seat I9 is limited by engagement with the top plate 2 or by engagement of the stop pin 3 with the upper end of the tubular guide element I4, depending, of course, upon the location of the stop pin 23 relative to the seat I0.

A treadle 25 comprises a foot rest 26 mounted on one end of a pair of laterally spaced lever arms 21, which, at their intermediate portions are provided with aligned longitudinally extended slots 28. A shaft 29 extends through the slots 28 and is secured at each of its ends to one each of a pair of the legs 4 adjacent the bottom of the base structure l. At their inner ends, the lever arms 21 are pivotally secured to the lower` end of the push rod 20, as indicated at 30. The shaft 29 provides a fulcrum for the lever arms 21 which are capable of sliding movements transversely of the shaft 29 as well as pivotal movements thereon. The sliding movements of the arms 21 are limited by the length of the slots therein and prevent binding of the push rod 20 within the tubular abutment bushing I8 during pivotal movements of the lever arm 21 and a consequent reciprocating movement of the push rod 20. It will be noted that the foot rest 26 is on a side of the base structure substantially diametrically opposite the back rest II. The rotary movement of the seat I0 is limited to such an extent, and the length of the foot rest 28 is such, that the feet of an occupant of the seat I0 are at all times permitted to rest comfortably on foot rest 26.

As a safety measure, I provide a guard in the nature of a flange or apron 3|, which is rigidly.

secured to and extends about the periphery of the seat I0. The apron 3| projects downwardly to a point where it encompasses the top plate 2` and is of such a size as to easily pass by the flange 5 of the top plate 2. The apron'3I is preferably made from sheet metal or other rigid material and prevents the occupant from getting his hands or fingers caught and pinched between the underside of the seat I0 and the top plate 2.

In use, the pin 23 is inserted into one of the holes 24 to give the desired maximum height to the seat I0. The effective pressure of the spring 22 against the end of the seat post 9 lis thenadjusted by moving the bushing I8 into a point where the spring pressure is slightly overbalanced by the Weight of an occupant of the seat when the occupants feet are resting on the.. treadle 25. The seat IU, under pressure of the;

occupants weight, will assume the position ing 5 dicated by Adotted `lines in Fig. v2. Then `when the occupant of the seat I Aexerts a very light downward pressure on the foot rest 26, a part .of the Weight ofthe occupant is naturally transferred from .the seat il) to the treadle v25. Down- .ward movement of the foot rest 26 results in upward movement of the push rod 2.1i and the seat I0, aided by the upward biasing force .of the spring 22. Thus the occupant is automati- .cally raised `to the desired height .with a mini.- mum of effort and is 'enabled to reach 'remote corners yer-y .easily as, for example, when ironing clothes, or when sorting postalitems ,and the like. The combined treadle and spring action enables the occupant to raise and lower himself la great many times without experiencing .the

fatigue which results from repeated sitting and rising even when a stool having a conventional springfmounted seat is used.

`In the modified form of Amy invention villustrated in Figs. V4 and 5, I provide abase structure l comprising atop plate 2' and supporting legs li. The top plate 2 is provided with a flange 3 forming a tubular guide passage 8. The legs 4' are connected intermediate their ends by brace members 6', which support a guide element 32 axially aligned with the passage 8. A guide element in the nature of a seat post 9 extends through the passage Bf and the guide element 32, and at its upper end is secured to a seat lil' having a back rest Il. A plurality of coil springs 33 are secured at their upper ends to an annular flange 34 fasten the underside of the top plate 2 and at their lower ends to an upwardly opening cup-shaped member 35. The member 35 is provided at its center with a depending circumferential flange 35 which denes an opening 3l loosely encompassing the seat post 9. The springs 33 exert a biasing force on the member 35 toward an adjustment nut 33 which has threaded engagement with a threaded portion 39 of the seat post 9'.

A treadle 25 is identical to the treadle 25 and is carried by the base structure l in the same manner. The inner ends of laterally spaced lever arms 21' are pivctally connected to the extreme lower end of the seat post 9', as indicated at 30.

Operation of the invention shown in Figs. and 6 is identical to that of the preferred form of Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive.

My invention has been thoroughly tested and found to be entirely adequate for acomplishment of the objects set forth; and while I have disclosed a prefered embodiment and a modified form of my device, it will be understood that the same is capable of still further modification without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a stool of the class described, a base structure, a seat overlying said base structure, cooperating guide elements on said seat and said base structure guiding the seat for upward and downward reciprocating movements with respect to said base structure, adjustable means on one of said guide elements for Variably limiting the extent of movement of said seat in one direction, yielding means biasing the seat in an upward direction, a treadle located adjacent the bottom of said base structure and adapted to be engaged by the feet of an occupant of said seat, means mounting said treadle on the base structure for generally upward and downward reciprocating movements with respect thereto, and connections 6 on said .seat and said'treadle cooperating with said yielding 4means -for imparting movements Ito saidseat in `one direction responsive Ato .pressure exerted by the occupant on Vsaidtreadle yinthe opposite direction.

v2. yIna stool of the-classdescribed, a basestructure, a seat overlying said base structure, -a generally vertically extending tubular guide-element in said base structure, a seat -post on said seat longitudinally slidably mounted in `said guide element, adjustable means on said seat post Ifor limiting 'the' extent of longitudinal movement thereof in said guide element, a treadle located adjacent the bottom of said base structure and adapted to be engaged .by vthe feet'ofan occupant of said seat,means mounting said treadle on `said base 'structure for generally upward and 4downward reciprocating movements with respect thereto, `and operating connections between :said treadle and said seat post for imparting movements to said seat in one direction responsive .to

pressure exerted bythe occupant on said .treadle in vthe opposite direction.

3. lIn a stool of the class described, a base structure, a seat overlying said base structure, a generally vertically extending tubular .guide'lelement in said base structure, a seat post on said seat longitudinally slidably mounted in said guide element, an abutment longitudinally adjustably mounted in-said guide element, a compression spring in said guide element between said Vabutment and said seat post whereby to bias lsaid seat in an upward direction, a treadle located adjacent the bottom of said base structure and adapted to be engaged by the feet of `an occupant of said seat, means mounting said treadleonsaid base structure for generally upward and downward reciprocating movements with respect thereto, and a push rod extending slidably through said abutment and operatively associated with said treadle and said seat post, said treadle and push rod cooperating with said spring to impart movement to said seat in one direction.

4. In a stool of the class described, a base structure, a seat overlying said base structure, a generally vertically extending tubular guide element in said base structure, a seat post on said seat mounted in said guide element for reciprocating and arcuate movements with respect thereto, an abutment longitudinally adjustably mounted in said guide element, a compression spring in said guide element between said abutment and said seat post whereby to bias said seat in an upward direction, a treadle located adjacent the bottom of said base structure and adapted to be engaged by the feet of an occupant of said seat, means mounting said treadle on said base structure for generally upward and downward reciprocating movements with respect thereto, and a push rod extending slidably through said abutment and operatively associated with said treadle and said seat post, said treadle and push rod cooperating with said spring to impart movement to said seat in one direction.

5. In a stool of the class described, a base structure, a seat overlying said base structure, a guide element in said base structure, a seat post on said seat and mounted in said guide element for reciprocating movements with respect thereto, a tension spring extending generally longitudinally of said seat post and having its opposite ends connected to the upper portion of said base structure and the lower portion of said seat post. said spring biasing said seat in an upward direction, a treadle located adjacent the bottom of said base structure and adapted to be engaged by the feet of an occupant of said seat, and means mounting said treadle on said base structure for generally upward and downward reciprocating movements with respect thereto, said treadle being connected to said seat post and cooperating with said spring to impart movement to said seat ture, a seat overlying the base structure and mounted and guided therein for generally upward and downward movements, a treadle located below the plane of the top of the seat and having a foot-engaged portion, means mounting the treadle on the base structure for upward and downward movements of its foot-engaged portion, operating connections between the treadle and seat for transmitting upward lifting force on the seat responsive to downward movements of the foot-engaged portion of the treadle, the footengaged portion of the treadle throughout its entire range of movement being located suflciently close to the plane of the marginal edge of the seat and sufficiently below the plane of the top of the seat that it may be normally downwardly engaged by the feet of a seat occupant throughout the entire ranges of movement of the treadle and the seat, thereby allowing a seat occupant to transfer varying proportions of his body weight from the seat to the treadle in all positions of the seat and treadle.

9. In a stool of the class described, a base structure, a seat overlying the base structure and mounted and guided therein for generally upward and downward movements, yielding means exerting an upward lifting force on the seat, a treadle located below the plane of the top of the seat and having a foot-engaged portion, means mounting the treadle on the base structure for upward and downward movements of its foot-engaged portion, relatively rigid operating connections between the treadle and seat and transmitting upward lifting force on the seat responsive to downward movements of the foot-engaged portion of the treadle, the foot-engaged portion of the treadle throughout its entire range of movement being located sufficiently close to the plane of the marginal edge of the seat and sufficiently below the plane of the top of the seat that it may be normally downwardly engaged by the feet of a seat occupant throughout the entire ranges of movement of the treadle and the seat, thereby allowing a seat occupant to transfer varying proportions of his body weight from the seat to the treadle in all positions of the seat and treadle, lifting force exerted on the seat through the treadle being independent of and additive to that exerted on the seat by the yielding means.

ALEXANDER L. JANES, Jn.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 158,880 Archer Jan. 19, 1875 2,044,675 Erwin June 16, 1936 2,132,467 Hanson Oct. 11, 1938 2,310,346 Bell Feb. 9, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 40,469 France May 29, 1932 (First addition to 656,640) 

